Council Tax - the true story

Elmbridge Council takes just 14% of your total Council Tax. The bulk of our taxes (86%) goes to Surrey County Council and the Police.

Financial Management – During the 14 years under Residents leadership Elmbridge's share of your Council Tax increased by less than inflation – 21% – compared with Conservative Surrey County Council's increase of a staggering 195%, vastly more than inflation. The Residents Administration left the current Conservative leadership a council with healthy reserves. When in 1992 we took over from the Conservatives, Elmbridge Council was a byword for inefficiency, and the auditors refused to pass the accounts.

Stealth Taxes – The Conservatives have resorted to increasing charges above inflation for many vital services such as meals on wheels, the Community Discount Card, community transport charges – all hitting the most vulnerable and the elderly. All for the sake of a nil rate increase in Council Tax. Is this sensible? No private business would consider this a prudent course when inflation is running at over 3% and increased service charges, salaries etc have to be paid.

Carparking, cost of dying - and their own allowances up 30-49% – While the Elmbridge Consrvative leadership has put up the cost of you parking your car by up to 40%, and the cost of burial, cremation and other cemetery services by up to 40%, they have also taken your money, raised in this way, to put up their own councillors' allowances by over 30%.

We predict that in 2009, when there are no Borough Council Elections to temper their policy, a continuing Conservative Administration will also put up Council Tax by more than inflation.